Overview
- All Might’s absence of a quirk turned out to be a crucial advantage for One For All.
- This unique situation enabled Toshinori, who lacked a quirk, to prolong the legacy of One For All, benefiting the lineage significantly.
- Toshinori emerged as the ideal candidate for the role of the 8th holder at a pivotal moment in history.
Toshinori Yagi, better known as All Might, enjoyed an extraordinary tenure as the most formidable hero in the universe of My Hero Academia. Remarkably, he achieved this status without possessing a quirk at birth—an important detail he concealed from society. His inheritance of One For All marked a significant turning point, as previous holders had always combined this powerful quirk with their own abilities until Toshinori’s time as the eighth wielder.
Despite his quirklessness, Toshinori inadvertently saved One For All and the world from the severe threat posed by All For One. The critical nature of his unique condition is further explored in Season 6 of the My Hero Academia anime, illustrating how being quirkless has inherent advantages.
The Ideal Host
The Fate of All Might as the 8th Holder
In Episode 131, Izuku Midoriya (Deku) learns from the past holders of One For All that this power carries adverse effects when passed to those who already possess quirks. As the power of One For All multiplies with each new generation, it places significant strain on the body of normal users, leading to reduced lifespans.
The narrative takes a tragic turn as revealed by the autopsy report of the fourth holder, Hikage Shinomori, who tragically succumbed to age-related complications at just 40 years old. Unlike his predecessors, Shinomori isolated himself to escape All For One, ultimately leading to his physical decline as he struggled to master the quirk.
However, the decision to have Toshinori as the next wielder turned out to be incredibly fortuitous. Had he possessed a quirk, Toshinori’s own lifespan would have likely diminished, cutting short his reign as the symbol of peace and preparedness against All For One. Additionally, his leadership significantly contributed to the eventual defeat of this major antagonist.
During his pivotal meeting with the vestiges of past holders, Deku realizes that Toshinori embodies the ultimate “vessel”for One For All. Despite being quirkless, Toshinori’s exceptional physical capabilities allowed him to utilize the quirk at full strength without suffering the side effects that plagued others.
A Serendipitous Turn
The Inevitable Conclusion of One For All
Despite the successful transfer of One For All through multiple generations, the quirk is inherently limited in duration. Its increasing power can overwhelm ordinary humans, making it necessary for future wielders to be quirkless or exceptionally powerful. This fact underscores the significance of Toshinori’s timing in acquiring the quirk. If passed to someone with a quirk, the lineage could have been derailed, jeopardizing the chance to confront All For One.
As implied in Episode 131, Deku may ultimately be the final inheritor of One For All. The dwindling number of quirkless individuals raises concerns about future successors as society evolves. Additionally, the cumulative strength of One For All suggests that it could eventually outpace any user’s capabilities. Thus, Toshinori’s legacy—while unplanned—proved crucial in safeguarding the future of My Hero Academia and the mission to defeat All For One.
My Hero Academia can be viewed on Crunchyroll and Hulu.